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Minnesota Twins Rule 5 and Minor League Free Agent Preview

By Benjamin Chase

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 8: Minnesota Twins mascot rallies the crowd during Game One of the American League Championship Series against the Anaheim Angels on October 8, 2002 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Dome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Angels 2-1. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 8: Minnesota Twins mascot rallies the crowd during Game One of the American League Championship Series against the Anaheim Angels on October 8, 2002 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Dome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Angels 2-1. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Most likely getting exposed to Rule 5

Jhonathan Alvarez, C – Has just one game above the GCL level, unlikely to be protected.
D.J. Baxendale, RHP – Found a home as a swing man in AA/AAA in 2017, but borderline stuff will likely leave him unprotected.
Cameron Booser, RHP – Only threw 3 games in 2017 due to second positive test for drug of abuse.
Sam Clay, LHP – Could be a guy who gets drafted, even with a rough first introduction to AA. Moved to bullpen in 2017 and was one of the most elite performers in the Twins system.
Edgar Corcino, OF – Signed out of indy ball in 2015, Corcino has lept up the Twins system, showing well in AA in 2017. Would be a surprising pick, so likely won’t be protected, but has worked hard to get to where he could be considered.
Andro Cutura, RHP – Cutura has missed most of the last two seasons on the DL, so it’s unlikely he’ll be selected or protected.
Eduardo Del Rosario, RHP – Del Rosario was off to an impressive start to the season before getting promoted to Fort Myers at the end of July, when he seemed to go into a funk. Hasn’t been above A ball, so unlikely that he will be selected or need to be protected.
Ryan Eades, RHP – Eades is a perfect example of a guy that gets selected in Rule 5, and the type of guy the Twins won’t likely mind losing.
Tanner English, OF – Uber-talented athlete, but he can’t get his contact issues figured out right now, so he’s an unlikely Rule 5 target at the MLB level, though he could be a minor league level pick.

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Edgar Herrera, OF – Finally broke out of the DSL after three seasons there, but struggled in GCL in 2017.
Zack Jones, RHP – Was selected in the 2015 Rule 5 by Milwaukee but returned to the Twins. He’s had health issues ever since. Big arm when healthy.
Randy LeBlanc, RHP – Senior sign pick spent over half the year at AA. Works with a sub-par stuff, but pitches well. Could be a 5th starter/swing man for the right club, but Twins would likely let him go.
Jose Martinez, RHP – Lots of promise, but hasn’t made it out of rookie ball. Just moved to bullpen in 2017.
Nelson Molina, IF – Possible utility type could be a bench pick, but struggled in 2017 with the bat, so likely will go undrafted.
Robert Molina, C – Hasn’t gotten out of rookie ball yet, playing the last two seasons at Elizabethton.
Ariel Montesino, IF – Solid OBP utility infielder played across three levels in 2017, but hasn’t been out of A ball at this point.
Alex Muren, RHP – Returned after surgery for only roughly a half season in 2017, but threw very well.
Max Murphy, OF – Of anyone that likely won’t be protected, Murphy may be the guy who fits the likely profile to be picked best. He’s an elite defender with enough bat skill to work off the bench as a 4th/5th outfielder.
Brian Navarreto, C – A highly-regarded power bat coming out of high school, Navarreto has developed defensively well, but his bat has lagged behind.
Callan Pearce, RHP – Has spent three seasons in the GCL, but missed all of 2017 on the disabled list.
Johan Quezada, RHP – Fun to watch pitch with tremendous size and strength behind his throws. Missed all of 2017 after shoulder surgery.

Next: Twins top 100 prospects complete list

Williams Ramirez, RHP – Solid reliever for Fort Myers in 2017, but hasn’t thrown above A-ball, so an unlikely target.
Rainis Silva, C – Struggled in 2016 in first full-season ball, but returned to Elizabethton in 2017 and raked. Not sure there’s more than an org catcher there, but still just 21 when spring training opens.
Keaton Steele, RHP – Transitioned to the bullpen in 2017 with mixed results. Likely to get to continue the transition with the Twins in 2018.
Todd Van Steensel, RHP – Aussie had a big year for Chattanooga. Fringy stuff, but really has come a long way in using it out of the bullpen.
Michael Theofanopoulos, LHP – Hasn’t cleared out of A-ball yet, but personally I want to keep him in the org to eventually hear big league announcers give that last name a try.
Ryan Walker, IF – Spent most of the year with Chattanooga. Showing to be an org player, likely not of interest in the draft to anyone.
T.J. White, 3B – Health struggles shortened his season, but hit the ball well at Chattanooga and could be a late-bloomer type with power.

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